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AOR / Westcoast Albums

March 03, 2012

Spring will be coming soon with Michael Franks this year!? In 38 years since his 1973 self-titled debut for Burt Records, Michael Franks has constantly released 18 studio recording original solo albums as at end of 2011. In Japan, Michael Franks' first 9 studio recording albums from1975 to 1987, that is to say, from his major solo debut album "The Art Of Tea" (1975) to "Camera Never Lies" (1987) and the much sought-after album MICHAEL FRANKS WITH CROSSFIRE LIVE (1980) will be re-released as limited collector's items with miniature LP style paper artworks on SHM CD (Super High Material CD), needless to say Remastered, which will be available on 25th April 2012 as the second releases of Warner Japan Light Mellow 2012 Collection.

Turning my eyes to Europe, Warner Rhino France has published that they will release Michael Franks Anthology box set titled "Dream 1973-2011" on 26th March 2012 with 73 Remastered Tracks on 5CDs, featuring unreleased tracks, rarities & many more. This Box Set supervised by Michael Franks (including tracklisting) offers the most complete anthology of Michael Franks work. 5CDs focusing on 4 themes; [POP & FUNKY GROOVE], [JAZZ & EXOTIC SUMMER], [SOFT & COOL SCHOOL] and [RARITIES & PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS + DUETS & SOME COVERS] . As you see below-listed track listing of 4th CD, you must be surprised to know what would be featured because it will include previously Japanese only tracks; "Antonio's Song / The Rainbow" (duet with apanese popular female singer named ANRI, originally appeared on her 1996 album "Angel Whisper" )and Michael's Japanese pops cover "Somewhere In The Rain" (originally performed by Japanese female superstar over the decade Yumi Arai (later, Yumi Matsutoya), known aka Yuming, in 1975, taken from 2003 Japanese only compilation album "OVER THE SKY : Yuming International Cover Album") The 5th CD contains the rare and mythical live recording of Michael Franks with Crossfire with miniature LP style paper artworks. A 16 page booklet with a foreword by Michael Franks and track-by-track liner notes + photos, Box Set supervised by Michael Franks.

December 22, 2011

The new AOR dream rising from Sweden! SONIC STATION to debut in February 2012 on Frontiers. If you are Westcoast oriented AOR fan, you might think this might be another too hard melodic rock album because of the basic preference of the label. As far as I listened to sample sound bytes of this project, it is not the case. This is really Westcoast style AOR. In this sense, if you would expect recent TOTO or Journey vein albums, this album would not meet with your favour, even though the below official press release says the project has been based in the 80's AOR music influenced by TOTO, Mr. Mister and Journey. If I admit this, most light & mellow side of those bands.

Here is the official press release:

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the signing to the label of a brand new Artist SONIC STATION for the release of their self titled debut album on February 24th 2012 in Europe and February 28th in North America.

SONIC STATION is a new Westcoast-AOR Project put together by Alexander Kronbrink (a Swedish guitarist, composer and producer). Alexander is a young musician who learned his skills playing with Smooth Jazz star Jonathan Fritzén. Later on – after being introduced to Lee Ritenour - Alexander started to see a clearer direction in his playing. Through Ritenour he discovered the music of such giants as Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, composer and producer David Foster and guitarist Jay Graydon, among others. Alexander says: “I have always been interested in guitarists with the ability to play everything from Jazz, to Pop, to Country, to Hard Rock. I have listened a lot to American session guitarists such as Steve Lukather, Michael Landau and Dan Huff. I guess that type of guitar playing is what have influenced me the most.” From the very beginning the SONIC STATION project has been based in the 80’s AOR music (influenced by Toto, Mr. Mister and Journey) and the West Coast-sound of Airplay and Chicago. The resulting album “SONIC STATION” is an expressive and warm record, where each song has an obvious and immediate hit feeling. “The focus is on melody and the SONIC STATION sound is a meticulous and exciting mixture of Pop, Rock and Jazz”, explains Kronbrink. To get the most quality out of each track Alexander, who composed ten of the songs and also produced and arranged the whole record, engaged four singers with different styles and voices: Marika Willstedt (from the Swedish TV show “Så ska det låta”), Magnus Bäcklund (member of the Swedish duo “Fame”), Kristoffer Fogelmark and Tove Lo. There are many musicians working on the album but the three contributing the most are Alexander’s close friends Jonathan Fritzén (on keyboards – a smooth Jazz solo artist who reached #1 on the Billboard Indicator Smooth Jazz Chart), Henrik Linder (on bass – Dirty Loops, Work of Art) and Aron Mellergård (on drums – Dirty Loops). All of them are accomplished musicians and gave their contribution for the final result. “I definitely think SONIC STATION will have a life on stage and I expect that we will be able to do some shows in the coming months” concludes Alexander Kronbrink. “Sonic Station” includes the following songs: Intro; Love's Gonna Show The Way (Feat. Magnus Bäcklund); I Wish I Could Lie (Feat. Marika Willstedt); Hold On To Me (Feat. Kristoffer Fogelmark); You Have To Let Me Go (Feat. Tove Lo); The Most Beautiful Fear (Feat. Magnus Bäcklund); Running Through The Night (Feat. Marika Willstedt); Never Let The Sunshine Die (Feat. Kristoffer Fogelmark); My Last Refrain (Feat. Marika Willstedt); Love You More (Feat. Marika Willstedt & Kristoffer Fogelmark); Reasons (Feat. Marika Willstedt) With SONIC STATION, Alexander Kronbrink has taken the 80’s into the future.

December 17, 2011

It is not only "Fallen For Brazil" Janey will deliver us very soon! Another one will be also coming. It is the album entitled "Love". "Love" is Janey's new compilation CD which will include selected collaboration tracks with your favourite vocalists and/or musicians, taken from her previous solo CDs after due consideration. "Falling In Love" (taken from 1st solo "Janey" ) and "Forever Valentine" (from 3rd solo "When Stars Collide" are with Bill Champlin, "Two Shooting Stars" (from "Janey") with Mac Jordan, "Can't Let You Go With My Heart" (from "Janey") with Richard Marx… "Call Me Romantic", the title track of her 2nd solo is one of my timeless favourite tune featuring Jay Graydon's best solo guitar of mid 90's. Peter Cetera supports Janey on "God's Perfect Plan" and then "Only Time Will Tell" duet with Eric Carmen would follow, taken from the same album. "Exposed" and "Lovers Are Never Lost" are picked up from 2005 album "Perfume". You must appreciate 4 brand new songs, including a special bonus track, “If Only For Tonight” (duet with Joey Chemay) for the Tsunami relief efforts. The title track, “Love”, is one of the best ballads of the decade featuring all-star cast of singers including Peter Cetera, Marc Jordan, Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Jaimee Paul, Joe Chemay and Janey. "Impossible" (duet with Joshua Payne) might be another hidden gem for you. You must satisfy with "The Last Words You Said" is self-cover of another Janey's greatest composition co-written with RIchard Marx for Sarah Brightman's 1998 album "Eden".

December 16, 2011

Janey Clewer's new solo effort “Fallen For Brazil” complete version will be finally released in January 2012! "Fallen For Brazil", Janey's neo-Brazilian styled album will be officially released in the complete shape after 3 years since its limited pre-release version was released on CD-R for the fans and digital downloads in January 2009. ItThis complete version would include 3 new tunes not on the pre-release; "Samba Sky", "Paparazi" and "One At Heart". There is one cover of “This Masquerade” an all-time personal favorite of Janey’s with 9 tunes appeared on the pre-release version as well as revised mixes and fully mastered tracks. Every track is drenched with timeless string arrangements and the incomparable John Patitucci on bass. Also featured is the vocal magic of Marc Jordan on the duet “ Make Her Mine” and Michael Sembello sings haunting Portuguese background vocals on “The Summer Wind”. The album also features the awesome acoustic guitar work of her husband, Bruce Gaitsch, flutes by Dave Boruff, vibes by Alex Poston and trumpet by Nick Newman. The timeless string arrangements of Boh Cooper and Janey brush each song with beautiful strokes of color. The string players are Nashville’s finest led by David Davidson, concertmaster of Orchestra Nashville. Open your finest Malbec, sit back and let your ears take you on a passionate musical journey to Brazil and beyond.

(Remarks)Please note that the track listing shown on the VIVID SOUND official website and/or Amazon.co.jp would be by mistake the pre-release version's one, which should be amended properly in due course.

December 08, 2011

On December 6, 2011, Little Flock Music, Peter Mayer's production/managment company has announced the official release of the Peter Mayer Group's new CD, "Under Your Spell." The CD will be available at Peter's Stars & Promises concerts, beginning 6th Decmber in Hopkinsville, KY USA, and will soon be available for purchase in their webstore. And I am pleased to confirm that you may get your copy at Little Flock Music.

"Under Your Spell" is a live, double disc collection of songs, covering a broad musical history, beginning with songs written with the band PM, Peter's solo projects and the current Peter Mayer Group. The CD was recorded live at three venues in July and August: Freedom Hall/Nathan Manilow Theatre, Park Forest, IL; The Duck Room, Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO; Rams Head on Stage!, Annapolis, MD. Musicians featured on this CD are: Peter Mayer, R. Scott Bryan, Chris Walters, Marc Torlina, Maggie Estes and special guest, James Perretta. "Under Your Spell" was co-produced, recorded, edited and mixed by the very talented Alan Schulman.

Peter Mayer says, "For three dates in July and August 2011, we recorded the band of musicians that I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with for the past five years. With the sonic palette and stylistic abilities of Scott, Chris, Marc and Maggie, each night has been a new adventure. From time to time we’d be playing on a porch, in a living room or before a show and several of us would remark, 'this feels really good, we should record this.' We had been releasing our own sound board CDs after shows for several years, but never had put together a complete set of songs that could be recorded well, mixed and released as a full album. "

November 26, 2011

I have not reviewed so many CDs on this blog this year but it does not mean that there's not so many CDs worth being reviewed. Just only because I have been busy enjoying beautiful European cities and culture since I settled in London July 2010. As you know, VIVID SOUND JAPAN is keeping very aggressive to reissue many hard-to-get AOR / Westcoast masterpieces under Toshikazu Kanazawa supervising "Light Mellow Choices" series. I can say that it will be continued net year with not only reissued titles but also a certain brand-new releases. Toshiki Nakada's independent label COOL SOUND would not be so active but I believe he did not loose his passion for delivering the good music to you. In this sense, I should have reviewed this Lance Jyo's 2011 double CDs album "Pacific Rendezvous" early September. But I think it is my duty to let you have an opportunity to know this title before Christmas. This album is not Holiday Season album but it is very mellow and romantic one, which might be one of the good choice for your 2011 Holiday seasons rather than getting various Holiday Season releases.

I think it is better giving you Lance's message how he describes this release rather than my words, here is the words from Lance:

Aloha,I wanted to thank you for taking the time to give this CD collection a listen. First and foremost I need to acknowledge and thank my friend and Cool Sound Records President Toshiki Nakada for his constant support of my music allowing me to share these songs with you.Pacific Rendezvous is actually two projects in one. Disc 1 features all new music I have worked on since the LA HNL TKY Project back in 2006. I was fortunate to re-enlist producer/arranger/musician Raul Ferrando once again. I am excited once again to share that the release of this collection coincides with the 13th Anniversary of Cool Sound Records. "The Best Is Yet To Come" was written especially to commemorate the occasion. Once again featuring some of Toshi's stable of musicians. Disc 2 contains a collection of songs written from 1990 to the present. Included are songs released on earlier projects, out-takes and unreleased tracks. A songwriter's "musical journey" through time. I have been blessed to have worked with so many talented musicians through this journey. Nothing can compare to that excitement that comes from composing a new song. And equally there's no more satisfying feeling than having other artists doing their renditions or your music. I've included some of my favorite "covers"Music can be spiritual, healing and has always been a source of inspiration for me. I hope these songs touch you as they have me. Special thanks out to all of my friends who continue to encourage my efforts and celebrate my passion in continuing to create music for years to come!Mahalo,Lance

November 13, 2011

Kenji Sano is well-known as the bass player of Kalapana, the most acclaimed Hawaiian AOR/Westcoast Band and of Jay Graydon's super band. Early this year before the mega-earthquake in March, we heard the news that his first solo leader album would be released in April, but the release was postponed. In August, the revised release date was announced as September 14 but again it was shelved for the time being. Finally we will have this album very soon. This solo effort includes 3 Kenji's original penned tunes and 11 covers of timeless classics and his favourites. The album is opened by "Double Love" originally performed by Crackin'. This opener features Arno Lucas, the original member as the lead singer. You will be pleased to know who sings Beatles' "Got To Get You Into My Life' for Kenji. Joseph Williams does! Bill Champlin dedicated his talent to 2 songs; "Slippery When Wet" originally performed by The Commodores and "If You Want Me To Stay" originally performed Sly & The Family Stone. You will also appreciate when you will find the musicians credit including Jay Graydon, Carlos Rios, and David T Walker on guitar. Hope you will add this CD to your collection if you are one of the crazy Westcoast / AOR lovers.

May 26, 2011

Willams Friestedt, the Joseph Williams and Peter Friestedt team-up remarkable AOR/Westcoast project album is here now. You must be surprised to hear Joseph's outstanding vocal performances with Friestedt's top notch guitar work and superbly crafted arrangements. In terms of Joseph Williams solo projects after he left the TOTO in 1988, this one must be the best, if you like Joseph's 1982 self-titled masterpiece 1st solo album and did not satisfy with his 2 Vertigo project albums. The album includes brand-new studio recordings for this project also with 3 tunes from Peter Friestedt's two critically acclaimed albums “LA Project” (2002) and “LA Project II” (2008) - "Where To Touch You", "One More Night" and "Gotta Find It". The 2nd track "Say Goodbye" was also released in 2010 as a CD-single (by Zink Music) in a limited edition during the tour of Joseph Williams together with Peter Friestedt. And the track 5 "Going Home" is not instrumental one. Joseph's extraordinary vocals beautifully shine with impeccable background vocals arranged by Joseph, Bill Champlin and Lars Säfsund (Work Of Art). As you know, Joseph once again will tour as lead vocalist with Toto during the summer of 2011, this must be another opportunity for you to experience splendid Joseph Williams' latest vocals. If I would say one complaint to this release, I would like to have more tunes. So, I wish these two guys will team up again soon and make another album featuring 12-14 brand-new songs written only for the project.

May 10, 2011

1977 Alan O'Day's classic masterpiece album is now available on CD for the first time in the USA. Alan O'Day wrote Helen Reddy's "Angie Baby", which hit #1 in December of 1974. In 1976, Alan O'Day signed as an artist with Pacific Records. Distributed by Atlantic, his solo album "Appetizers" was released in 1977 including the single "Undercover Angel" which zoomed to the top of the charts in July 1977, selling about two million copies. His next next effort was 1979's album entitled "Oh Johnny!" featuring a single, "Skinny Girls" which became a #1 song in Australia in 1980 but not so sucessful in the States. And Alan became well-known in 1981 by his co-wroting "Your Eyes" with singer-songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita, which became a smash hit for him in Japan. In January 2010, the album became available first time on CDs only for Japan. Almost 1 year later, it is widely available via the artist official website. Needless to say the reissued CD is digitally re-mastered from the original analog tapes.

May 08, 2011

Craig Ruhnke's early 80 albums reissue has been stranded despite hard efforts done by Japanese labels over the years. Riverman Music, South Korea has done it! In addition to "Just Like The Old Times" (1982, known the different title "True Love" for Japan) and "Keep The Flame" (1984). In addition to those two acclaimed albums of the artist, they succeeded to release the 1979's publisher promotional release "Craig Ruhnke Band" would finally see the light of the day. You should note that Craig Ruhnke released dozens of singles throughout the '70's and '80's before switching to A & M Records where he had his biggest hit "You're A Heartbreaker". Eventually he launched his own Pinnacle Records which made it possible for Ruhnke to continue releasing material on A & M. Whilst I have no exact knowledge but there should be another publisher promotional album "Reach Out" (1981). This album features several same tunes ("You And I", "The First Time", "I Need You To Be There", "It Will Take Time", "Tomorrow") from "the Craig Ruhnke Band". 2 tunes, i.e., "Reach Out", "Heartache" are on the album "Just Like The Old Times". In terms of the CD, Japanese collection album titled "Urban Breeze In Love" was released in 1985 and it has been one of the most mega rare CD due to the number of the copies pressed. And it is not widely known that Craig Ruhnke self-released the CD titled "The Craig Ruhnke Collection Volume 1" in 1991. The reissued CD of 2011 also includes the tunes only featured on this CD as bonus tracks; "Hold Me Now", "A Lighthouse In The Storm" "Good, Good Times (All Summer Long)", " Love's A Celebration", "Summer In The Sun" and "South Sea Island". Thus the reissues would make you possible to get not only the original album on CDs but also with bunch of rare tracks. Do not hesitate to grab the 3 Craig Ruhnke CDs now.Lastly, in case you would like to have Japanese version artworks with "Just Like The Old Times" and "Keep The Flame", it is possible to buy Japanese reissues distributed by VIVID Sound, Japan, but please note that the CDs and the cardboard mini LP style sleeves would be exact same as South Korean version.